« | Proverbs 20 | » |
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
2 The dread wrath of a king is like the growling of a lion; he who provokes him to anger forfeits his life.
3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be quarreling.
4 The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.
5 The purpose in a man's mind is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but a faithful man who can find?
7 A righteous man who walks in his integrity -- blessed are his sons after him!
8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, "I have made my heart clean; I am pure from my sin"?
10 Diverse weights and diverse measures are both alike an abomination to the LORD.
11 Even a child makes himself known by his acts, whether what he does is pure and right.
12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both.
13 Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.
14 "It is bad, it is bad," says the buyer; but when he goes away, then he boasts.
15 There is gold, and abundance of costly stones; but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 Take a man's garment when he has given surety for a stranger, and hold him in pledge when he gives surety for foreigners.
17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.
18 Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.
19 He who goes about gossiping reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with one who speaks foolishly.
20 If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.
21 An inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning will in the end not be blessed.
22 Do not say, "I will repay evil"; wait for the LORD, and he will help you.
23 Diverse weights are an abomination to the LORD, and false scales are not good.
24 A man's steps are ordered by the LORD; how then can man understand his way?
25 It is a snare for a man to say rashly, "It is holy," and to reflect only after making his vows.
26 A wise king winnows the wicked, and drives the wheel over them.
27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts.
28 Loyalty and faithfulness preserve the king, and his throne is upheld by righteousness.
29 The glory of young men is their strength, but the beauty of old men is their gray hair.
30 Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the innermost parts.
The Revised Standard Version (RSV)
The Revised Standard Version (RSV) is a widely respected English translation of the Bible that was first published in 1952 by the National Council of Churches. It was developed as a revision of the American Standard Version (ASV) of 1901, with the primary aim of providing a more accurate and readable text while retaining the literary qualities of its predecessor. The RSV sought to modernize the language of the ASV without sacrificing its faithfulness to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts, making it a significant milestone in the history of English Bible translations.
One of the key features of the RSV is its commitment to formal equivalence, or a word-for-word translation approach. This method ensures that the translation closely mirrors the structure and wording of the original texts, allowing readers to engage more directly with the biblical languages. The translators of the RSV were guided by the latest biblical scholarship of their time, and they endeavored to produce a text that was both accurate and elegant. This combination of precision and literary quality has made the RSV a popular choice for both academic study and liturgical use.
The RSV also stands out for its ecumenical appeal. It was one of the first translations to be accepted across a wide range of Christian denominations, including Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions. This broad acceptance was partly due to the inclusive approach of the translation committee, which included scholars from various religious backgrounds. The RSV’s ecumenical nature helped it gain widespread usage in churches, seminaries, and universities, fostering a greater sense of unity among different Christian communities.
Despite its many strengths, the RSV has faced some criticism over the years. Some conservative scholars and readers have expressed concerns about certain translation choices, arguing that they reflect modernist theological perspectives. Additionally, the RSV’s use of archaic language in certain passages has been a point of contention for those seeking a more contemporary rendering of the Bible. Nonetheless, the Revised Standard Version remains a highly respected and influential translation, valued for its accuracy, literary excellence, and broad ecumenical acceptance. It continues to serve as a foundation for later revisions and translations, such as the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) and the English Standard Version (ESV).